Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks on Tuesday with Myanmar's military leader, who is seeking to strengthen cooperation with Moscow amid Western isolation and sanctions.
General Min Aung Hlaing is making his fourth trip to Russia since his army seized power from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021.
Western countries have ostracized Myanmar's ruling army and imposed economic and political sanctions in response to the takeover and brutal crackdown on opposition, which has left thousands of civilians dead and sparked an armed conflict widely seen as a civil war.
Russia, along with China, is a major supporter and arms supplier to Myanmar. Russian-made fighter jets have been used in attacks on areas controlled by ethnic minorities, many of whom are allied with pro-democracy resistance forces.
“Russia is a key sponsor of the Myanmar military,” said Morgan Michaels, a Singapore-based analyst at the International Institute for Strategic Studies.
“Beyond diplomatic and symbolic support, it plays a vital role in strengthening and maintaining the regime's fighting capacity.”
Russia has defended Myanmar's military government in international forums, and the country's ruling generals have generally supported Moscow's foreign policy agenda. The two countries have also held joint military exercises and signed a nuclear energy pact.
Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, who held a separate meeting with Min Aung Hlaing to discuss strengthening economic ties, condemned Western sanctions against Myanmar as “illegal”.
Myanmar's main opposition Government of National Unity spokesman Nay Phon Latt said the military leader desperately needs international recognition and is willing to trade the country's resources for it.
“So in order to maintain his power, he will go to countries that recognize him and give him some help and also exchange what he wants with the country,” Nay Von Latt said in a text message to the AP on Monday.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
